Take Him by the Hand

John 11: 34 - 'And He said, where have you laid him? And they replied, 'Lord, come and see...'

This is a very powerful story because it really hits us where we live...it's a story of men and women in the Word of God who must deal with and cope with death.  We've all been here and have our own stories but, it doesn't lessen the pain in any way.  Mary and Martha suffered the loss of the brother - to make matters worse, they send for Jesus, but He was waylaid.

I can't help but make parallels to this story in my own life; especially concerning things that have gotten sick and died in my heart.  Now, on the physical and literal side, I personally know what it's like to lose a sibling. However, I can also relate to this story from a spiritual perspective.  Ask yourself:

Has your prayer life died?  Has your devotion to the Lord or perhaps your personal evangelism died off?  Keep in mind, Lazarus, (They're brother), not only died, but by the time Jesus arrives, he had been dead for 4 days and decay had began to take its toll...can you relate to this story spiritually?  There are some amazing things in this story that I so appreciate about Jesus...

He asked them to take Him to where they lay Lazarus...not tell Him, SHOW HIM.  In our prayer life, we must take Jesus by the hand, and lead Him to the tomb of our hearts.  Take Jesus by the hand, and lead Him to where you got tired; lead Him to where you were in your darkest hour; take Him to the place of your fears and failures...will you show Him?

If you read on, He tells them to roll away the stone...that's what we have to do, He's not gonna do it for us!  Martha warned Him about the stench, but Jesus didn't care - He wasn't there to critique the situation...HE WAS THERE TO SPEAK LIFE INTO IT!  Jesus didn't put on protective gear or gloves, He got right into the stinky stuff - this is what He will do with us!

When He spoke life - Lazarus came forth!!  This is what Jesus wants to do for you and me!  He wants to be shown the dead areas of our lives so that He can bring resurrection power to them!!  Will you humble yourself and let God do this for you?

Change comes when you humble yourself and allow God to have His way...

- Pastor LaMont Melrose